Folding bed



Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,268

- F. K. CONRAD FOLD I NG BED File Sept. 11, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet AB-romvsvs' Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,268

F. K. CONRAD FOLDING BE D Filec/l/Sept. 11, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 75 23 Q s q q s 5; r /6 47 Z4 35 g 35 9 22 42 m 2/ zz 27 fifofle/cir/fCoA/eno Patented Nov. 13, 1928.,

res

PATENT OFFICE.

romance BED.

Application filed September 11, 1926. Serial No. 134,892.

This invention relates to improvements in folding beds, and an object of the invention is to provide such a device which, when not in use, may readily be folded into acoma paratively small space such, for instance, as

a wall bench or seat; or it may be provided with an independent casing or box-like structure wherein the bed portion thereof may be housed for storage, when not in use, and whereby the device may readily be transported-from place to place, as when used by tourists, its size being such that, when folded, it may conveniently be carried upon the usual, running board of an automobile, or be secured to the rear end thereof in a manner similar to a trunk.

'A turthenobject of the invention is to provide a toldable bed comprising a metal fabric having one end secured to a movable 5% member, and its other end to a self-winding roller whereon it is wound when not in use, pads being provided for covering the fabric, when in operative position, storage means also being provided for supporting said pads independently of each other.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a foldable bed adapted to folded or collapsed into a comparatively small space in a minimum time; to provide such a bed having a two-piece pad for covering the fabric thereof when the bed is in operative extended position"; having; self-winding storaae rollers for supporting" the pads in dependently of each other, when not in use. and whereby the structure may be reduced in size; and to provide a toldable bed of simple and inexpensive construction, which may be manufactured at a minimum cost, and will be safe and practical for use.

lhe particular object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved folding bed.

@ther objects of the invention will appear from the accompanying drawing and the following description and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

lln the accompanying drawings, there has been disclosed a structure designed to carry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation showing the bed extended or unfolded;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1, showinn" the pads covering the spring fabric;

' Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the spring-actuated rollers for supporting the fabric and pads;

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the bed when folded showing the means for supporting the pads independently of each other;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional View on the line 5 5 of Figure 2 showing the hinged legs provided at one end of the bed; and

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail View showing the means provided for locking the hinged joints in the side braces, in operative position.

The novel structure featured in this invention comprises a casing 11 having a removable member or cover 12 adapted to rovide a closure for one side thereof. This member 12 also functions as one end of the bed when extended to the position shown in Figure 1. A flexible fabric 13 has one end secured to the member 12 adjacent the upper portion thereof. A plurality of tension springs 14 are interposed between the end of the metal fabric 13 and the member 12 to provide suiiicient resiliency to the member 13 which functions as the bottom of the bed. The opposite end of the fabric 13 is secured to a roller 15 having bearings in the end walls 16 and 17 of the casing 11, (see Figure 2).

A torsion spring 18 has one end secured to the intermediate wall 19 of the casing as at 21, and its opposite end is secured to a. collar 22 adjustably secured to the roller 15 by a suitable setscrew 23. The torsion spring 18 is constantly under tension and tends to roll the fabric 13 upon the roller 15.

Suitable hinged braces 24 are provided to retain the end member 12 in its operative position shown in Figure 1. Each of these 100 braces has one end pivotally connected'to the member 12 and its opposite end to the casing 11, one having a pivotal connection with the end wall 16 and the other to the intermediate wall 19, as shown in Figure 2. The braces 24 are preferably of angle iron material. A slide 25 is mounted on each brace 24 adjacent the joint thereof and functions as a lock to prevent the braces from buckling when the end member 12 is extended to its operative position, shown in Figure 1, in which position the fabric 13 is under tension. A flexible brace member such as a wire 27 is provided beneath the braces 24: to retain the end member 12 in its upright position. This flexible member has one end secured to the member 12 adj acent'the lower portion thereof, as indicated at 28, and its other end secured to a self-winding roller 29 having suitable bearings in the casing 11, similar to the upper roller 15. The roller 29 is also provided at one end with the torsion spring 18 which constantly tends to rotate the roller against the tension of the member 27. The

lengths of the fabric 13 and also the wire 27 are such that when the bed is in its operative position, shown in Figure 1, the fabric 13 and wire 27 will be under tension.

Means are provided for covering theupper surface of the fabric 13 and consists of a pad 31 having one end secured to the fabric adjacent the member 12 and its other end suitably secured to the intermediate portion thereof as indicated in Figure 2. This pad 31 covers substantially one-half of the surface of the fabric, and the other half is covered by a detachable pad 32 having one end secured to the pad 31 by means of suitable straps 33, having snap buttons 3 1 terminally provided thereon whereby they may readily be connected to and disconnected from the pad 31, as shown in the lower portion of Figinre 2. The other end of the pad 32 has a p urality of flexible members such as wires 35 connected therewith, the other ends or" which pass around a roller 36 mounted in the lower ortion of the casing 11. The other endsoi: the wires 35 are secured to eye-bolts pecia 37 mounted in the roller- 29 and to one of which one end of the brace wire 27 is secured. The object in providing two pads as above described, is to permit each pad to be wound upon an independent roller for storage, thereby permitting the apparatus to be made comparatively small in size. This is an important feature as it has been found impractical to use a single pad on account of the space required to store such a pad, es-

ly when wound on a roll.

Figure 4 illustrates the pads in their folded positions wherein it will be noted that the detachable pad 32 is wound about the roller 36, and the fixed pad 31 is wound upon the upper roller 15. lVhen the bed is thus collapsed, the brace Wire 27 will also be coiled menace about the lower roller 32, and the hinged braces 24 will be concealed within the casing 11.

Suitable legs 37 are pivoted at 38 to the end member or closure 12 as shown in Figure 5. Diagonal braces 39 are pivotally connected to the member 12 and have their lower ends slidably connected to the legs 37 by means of pins 41 secured thereto. Slots 42 are provided in the braces 39 in which the ms 11 may slide when the legs are moved shown in Figure 4.

The construction and operation of this novel bed is such that it will readily lend itself for use on automobiles, as it may readily be mounted upon the usual running board thereof or secured to the rear end of the automobile, its overall size, when folded, being comparatively smaller than an ordinary trunk. When thus mounted upon the running board of an automobile, or at the rear end thereof, the legs 37 function as a means to support the outer end of the bed when extended to the position shown in Figure 1. The bed may also be used as a bench bed in cottages and similar places, that is, when not being used as a bed it may be used as a bench or a seat, and when desired to use it -as a bed, it may readily be extended to the eration of the springs 18, and to adjust their tension, if necessary.

No cranks or tools are necessary to wind the pads and mattress fabric upon the rolls 15 and 29, when the bed is being collapsed, the torsion springs 18 having suiiicicnt tension to automatically wind them thereon when the end-member or closure 12 is being moved. to its normal inoperative position. The springs 18 also function to retain the end-member 12 in its closed position. To open the bed, the end member 12 is withdrawn or extended to the position shown in Figure 1, against the tension of the springs 18, after which the hinged braces 24 will retain it in such position. 'The slides 25 on strong the braces 24 are then moved to the position shown in Figures 1 and 6, thereby positively locking the bed against accidental collapse. As a result of dividing the pad into two sections and winding the sections upon independent rollers, the overall size of the casing may be reduced. The particular method employed for retaining the endmember 12 in its operative position is such that the apparatus may be manufactured of comparatively light material and still be and durable when set up for use as a bed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A portable, foldable bed, including a spring fabric having one end secured to a movable support, a roller for supporting the other end of the fabric, pads for covering said fabric, one of the ads being secured to the fabric and adapted to be wound upon said roller with said fabric when in inoperative position, and independent storage means for receiving the other of said pads.

2. A portable, foldable bed, including a spring fabric having one end secured to a movable support, a roller for supporting the other end of the fabric, pads for covering said fabric, one of the pads being secured to the fabric and adapted to be wound upon said roller simultaneously with said fabric for storage, the other pad being detachable, and having strap connections with said firstmentioned pad and the other end of said detachable pad having a-connection with a self-winding storage roller whereon it is wound when the bed is collapsed.

3. A foldable bed, including a spring fab ric having one end secured to a movable support, a roller for supporting the other end of the fabric, pads for covering said fabric when extended, one of the pads being-secured to the fabric and adapted to be wound upon said roller simultaneously with said fabric for storage, the other pad being detachable, and having strap connections with said first-mentioned pad adjacent said movable support, and the other end of said detachable pad having flexible connections connecting it with a self-winding storage roller wvhereon it is wound when the bed is collapsed, said roller constantly exerting a pull on said fabric and pads to keep them taut during the operation of opening and closing the bed.

4. An apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination, a casing,- a member normally closing one side thereof and adapted to be extended therefrom, hinged braces connecting said member with said casing and adapted to retain said member in extended position, a flexible bed bottom having one end secured to said member and its other end to a spring-actuated roller mounted 111 sald casing, and whereon said bottom normally is wound, the connections of said bottom with said casing and member being .at points above said braces, a flexible brace member mounted beneath said hinged braces and cooperating therewith to casing, a flexible bed bottom having one end secured to said member and its opposite end to one of said rollers, means for retaining said member and fabric in operative position, pads coverin said fabric, one of said pads being secured to said fabric adjacent the outer end thereof and movable therewith, the otherpad having strapconnections with said first-mentioned pad and with the other of. said rollers whereby, when said end member is returned to its normal inoperative position said fabric and its complemental pad will be wound upon one of 'said rollers, and the other pad will simultaneouslybe wound upon the other of said rollers.

6. An apparatus of the class described,

comprising in combination, a support, a

member normally positioned adjacent thereto and adapted. to .be extended therefrom, hinged braces connecting said member with said support and adapted to retain said member in extended position, a fabric hav ing one end secured tosaidmember at a point above said hinged braces and its other end being secured to a spring-actuated roller .mount-ed insaid support, whereby the fabric may be stretched between said support and 7 said member to provide a bed bottom, a

cable havin one end secured to said member at a point below saidhinged braces, a selfwindmg roller mounted in said support and to which the opposite end ofsaid cable. is secured and whereon said cable is wound when the bed is folded, and the overall length of said cable being such that when the bed is unfolded and said braces are in operative extended be taut to hold the abric under tension.

7. An apparatus of the class described,

comprising-1n combination, a support, a member normally positioned adjacent thereto and adapted to be extended therefromand to form the foot of the bed, hinged braces connecting saidme'mber with said support andadapted to retain said member in extended position, a flexiblebed bottom having one end secured to said member and the other end to a self-winding roller mounted in said support and whereon said bottom is wound when thebed is folded, a pad secured to osition, said cable will,

said fabric and adapted to be Wound upon said movable member being at points above said roller simultaneously with said fabric, said braces whereby, when the braces are in a cable secured to said member adjacent the extended position, said cable will be taut and lower edge thereof and having its opposlte Will hold said fabric under tension.

end securedto a spring-actuated roller also In witness whereof, I have hereunto set mounted Within said support, and the conmy hand this 3rd day of September, 1926. nections of said fabric with said support and FREDERICK K. CONRAD. 

